The Portland daily press., 1887-05-09
CALVIN p. GRAVES.
The Centre of interest In Washing
ton County To-Day.
Ira McReavy Tells the Story of the
Shooting Last November.
Graves Fate Depending on His Mo-
tive In Firing the Shot.

CALAIS, May 7.--Great satisfaction is ex
pressed at the makeup of the jury to sit OF
the murder trial. Each man is well known
citizen of Washington County, with a wei
earned reputation for honesty and integrity
and the verdict rendered by them will be re
ceived by the public as strictly in accordance
with the facts and law in the case.
Graves passed comfortable night Friday
sleeping soundly until6 a. M, when he arose
dressed, went to the window and chatted
with number of persons who had gathered
to catch an early glimpse of so noted char
acter.
An immense crowd gathered at the court
room when court was raped to order Al
IL a. m. the county attorney opened the case
for the State in calm, comprehensive state
ment of facts from the prosecutions point
of view.
Ira p. McReavy was sworn and testified
live in Whitneyville; am 16 years of age
was at Fletcher Brook Nov. 18th last; saw
Graves and Mcfarland there and assisted
them in caring for the horse; was invited by
them to dinner; Graves said the dog which
accompanied them was a bird dog, but no
game warden would take a dog of his; was
in the house when Chas. Niles, the game
warden drove up; went out and helped him
care for his horse in the cellar; when | re-
turned found Graves and Warden Hill in
the house; they were engaged in discussing
dogs and the game laws: Graves said the law
was violated daily; in reply to question by
Mcfarland the wardensisaid they were 60
ing to remain over night, when Mcfarland
said: "You better not. We will argue all
night" They then began to pack up.
Graves left the house followed by the 9TH
ers. Witness heard Hill say, I'VE will take
the dog" In the entry, Niles slipped shell
into his rife and said he was going to shoot
the dog. Mcfarland got into his wagon
with the dog. After standing the rifle
against the house, Niles took of his coat and
stepped toward the wagon. Witness saw
Graves take two cartridges from his belt and
put them in his gun. AS Niles approached
the wagon, Graves raised his gun to his
shoulder and shot him on the left side of the
throat under the ear. He then wheeled and
fired the second shot at Hill. who was stand
ing in front of the team talking with McFar-
land.
Graves was four or five feet from Niles
when he fired. Neither warden had any
weapon in his hands when shot. After the
shooting, Mcfarland climbed out of the wag-
on and began to pack up his things. Wit
ness went into the cellar, Graves followed
and called him out. Graves brought Niles
gun to me and said, isn't that gun cocked?"
answered ''yes, that gun is cooked if / ever
saw gun cooked" After Niles was shot,
Graves said, no man cocks a gun at
me-" Turning to Mcfarland, he said, "Jim,
/ told you So" Neither of the men ap-
preached the bodies while witness remained
on the spot. No one else came near the
place. Witness had known him for year.
James M. Mcfarland, of North Hancock,
testified; Reached Fletcher Brook in COM
pany with respondent on the Saturday pre-
vious to the homicide. Had known Graves
from childhood, and went deer hunting all
Sunday afternoon. Got separated, and,
when witness returned at p. m, found
Graves there He had his dog Smoker with
him, led by chain. Neither got shot at a
deer on the trip. Went again next morning,
leaving the dog behind. Graves said he saw
a deer in the range, and worked up toward
it. Tho report of a gun startled the animal,
and witness.knew the dog would track deer.
Ira McReavy came about II o'clock, Niles and
Hill soon after, and Senior McReayy about
o'clock. Did not know Niles had any con-
yersation with him. Hill came in and said
to witness; "You have dog" YES" re-
piled Mcfarland, "a bird dog" knowing
AIo&l H. 4..a 4
in the main room, both wardens said that no
dog could come into their woods and live.
After a general talk Graves and witness pre-
pared to go home. AS we went to the wagon
heard Hill say, 'We will take the dog" Re
piled after getting into the wagon, 'You
can't have this dog" Niles threw off his
coat and called to McReavy, II call upon
you for my main evidence" Neither Hill or
Niles had anything in their hands, Did not
hear Niles gun click. Heard the report of a
gun from the right and rear Saw Niles fall.
Heard second report. Hill had turned and
faced Graves, took one or two steps and fell
dead. Did not examine the bodies. Witness
said his unloaded gun was in the wagon.
Graves brought his gun with him from the
house. Had reason to believe that Graves
gun was unloaded when he left the house.
Saw the handle of Hills pistol in case un-
der his coat. Graves said: THAT'S my dog,
and don't you shoot him." just after wit
ness reply to Hill's threat. From that mo-
ment to the time of the shooting, no other
word was said by any of the parties.
To the surprise of all, the state said it had
no more questions to ask, and the subse-
quent movements of witnesses and prison
ers. were not alluded to. Witness stuck
closely to his text, and the searching cross
examination failed to shake his testimonylin
the least degreee. Adjourned till a. m.
Monday.
THAT FORCED LETTER.